self-destruct

Every day I wake earlier
resetting the clock,
training my brain to ignore
circadian clues.
Awake from the responsibilities
that have popped into my mind
overnight, I overcome
exhaustion with caffeine.
I attempt each task and
deadline set before me
in a futile attempt to
swim against the tide.
One step forward,
two steps back,
so it goes.
I get to the end of the day,
wondering why I bother
but too exhausted to pull the plug.